All roads lead to Flemington for $2million Group 1 Victoria Derby for Melody Belle's half-brother Tutukaka following his win Wednesday’s $200,000 Listed Geelong Classic (2200m).
Given a patient ride by Damian Lane, the Tony Pike-trained gelding came with a sweeping run from near the tail of the field after Grinzinger King had the field spread out by over 15 lengths in the middle stages.
Godolphin’s Teofilo colt Character took the lead shortly after turning for home. He tries to rally when tackled by Tutukaka but the Tavistock gelding had all the momentum and went on to win by three-quarters of a length.
The Exosphere gelding Phere The Ex was two and a half lengths back in third.
The winner of the Listed Tattersalls Life Member Stakes (1830m) at Eagle Farm last season at two, Tutukaka advances his record to two wins, two seconds, and a third from seven starts with earnings of $223,063.
At his most recent start, Tutukaka made the running when fifth in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington.
“He led up at a strong tempo with the blinkers and he was still a bit fresh last start. That run really brought him on,” Lane said.
“Credit to Tony Pike, he’s such a good trainer of these young stayers. Big thanks to Tony Noonan and his staff that are looking after him. He was really good today.
“I just thought (the pace) was perfect. When Tony said that we wanted to ride him a bit quieter I knew we wanted to ride him behind the speed and didn’t want to be doing the donkey work. But I thought it might have been the wrong day to do it.
“I didn’t think there’d be much tempo on paper and lucky for us it worked out that there was strong tempo and that was always going to suit this horse - a genuinely run 2200 metres. He was obviously strongest late.”
Tony Noonan said that Pike had entrusted him with looking after the son of Tavistock.
“I’ve been good mates with Tony (Pike) and known his family for more than 30 years. I was honoured for him to ring me but I’ve been under a bit of pressure, we haven’t been firing a shot,” Noonan said.
“Tony thought that from that gate it would be best getting some cover and Damien gave him a lovely ride and he got a lovely track into the race and hit the line impressively.
“He’s a lovely big horse and he relaxed beautifully today so he’s heading in the right direction (to the Derby).”
The half-brother to 14-time Group One winner Melody Belle was purchased by his trainer for $250,000 out of Haunui Farm draft at the 2020 NZB Yearling Sale at Karaka.
He is the third winner from five to race out of the Iffraaj mare Meleka Belle a descendent of New Zealand's prolific "Belle" family.
The Written Tycoon Syndicate purchased her record-breaking daughter Melody Belle for $2,600,000 at the recent National broodmare Sale.
Bred and raced by Marie Leicester, Meleka Belle was the 15th and final named foal from the Sir Tristram mare Empress Belle.
Meleka Belle has a 2yo filly by Snitzel named My Annie Belle and was covered by Pierro last spring.
